House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon to Speak at National Press Club Feb. 24

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Howard "Buck" McKeon (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, will speak at a National Press Club luncheon on Feb. 24. McKeon, who has criticized President Obama for not speaking publicly about the war in Afghanistan, will give the speech that he said Obama won't deliver.

As head of the House Armed Services Committee, which provides oversight and authorization of the Defense Department and its nearly $500 billion budget, McKeon is considered one of Congress' most influential members on defense policy. McKeon announced in January he would not seek reelection in 2014 after nearly 21 years on Capitol Hill. Though an advocate of cutting government spending, McKeon is a staunch defender of a robust defense budget and has worked to bridge the gap between defense industry leaders and military leaders. McKeon is also a proponent of the U.S. approach to foreign policy known as "peace through strength," where the nation uses its military might to deter potential adversaries.

McKeon has promoted boosting missile defense spending, funding for the F-22 fighter jet and restoring the House tradition of passing defense authorization bills without controversial social items. McKeon also founded the Congressional Unmanned Systems Caucus, which helps educate members of Congress and the public of the strategic, tactical and scientific value of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), or drones.

Born in Los Angeles, McKeon is a business owner, a former bank executive and a former mayor and local council member in Santa Clarita Valley, Calif.

The Press Club luncheon will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m. Remarks will begin at 1 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session, ending at 2 p.m. Tickets may be purchased by going to http://bit.ly/1irXGKC. The cost of luncheon admission is $22 for National Press Club members and $36 for non-members. Tickets must be purchased at the time of reservation.

National Press Club Luncheons are webcast live on press.org. Follow the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #NPCLunch, or on Facebook at facebook.com/PressClubDC and Twitter at @PressClubDC. Submit questions for speakers in advance and during the live event by sending them to @QNPCLunch on Twitter. Or email a question in advance, type MCKEON in the subject line and send to president@press.org before 10 a.m. on the day of the event.

The National Press Club is on the 13th floor, 529 14th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. Credentialed press may cover this event with ID.

About the National Press ClubThe National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists with more than 3,300 members worldwide representing every major news organization. More than 250,000 people visit the Club each year to attend more than 2,000 events. The Club was founded in 1908 and is on the Web at press.org.